Villanova Student Found Dead: Sophomore Kinara Patel's Death Still A Mystery, 'No Evidence of Foul Play At This Time'

Kinara Patel, a 18-year-old sophomore at Villanova University, was found dead in her friend's dorm room on Thursday morning, Bloomberg Businessweek reported.

Radnor Township Lt. Andy Block said Patel was unresponsive when authorities arrived at the Sullivan Hall dorm room around 10 a.m. after a 911 call was made. Police said she was out with friends the night before and got home late. Police have not released if alcohol was involved and Block said officials are continuing their investigation to see if it played a role.

"We can't confirm that at this time," Block said at a news conference on Thursday. "We're still looking into that. Investigators are following up on some leads.

"There is no evidence of foul play at this time," he said.

There was also no incidication of suicide.

Patel lived in a different residence hall on campus and was studying in Villanova's School of Business. She grew up in Hackensack, N.J. and attended Bergen County Academies before heading off to college. More than 100 students attended a prayer service held on Thursday night at the campus church and the university has emphasized that the counseling staff is available to students.

"While any death is heartbreaking, to lose someone this young is devastating," said Liz Kennedy Walsh, Associate Vice President for University Communication. "And Kinara Patel, who was a sophomore in our School of Business, was really an important part of the university."

Others recalled her positive reputation.

"I've never actually met her," said fellow sophomore James Austin. "But I've heard from everyone that she was just the sweetest girl."

Many students were shaken by the tragedy, happening right before the fall semester.

"I thought it was unusually sad and kind of scary, really," said freshman Bailey Page. "Because she was pretty young, and it's kind of a shocking experience your first week as a freshman in college."

An autopsy will be conducted by the Delaware County coroner on Friday morning but results will not be available until later in the day.